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hosts for a helping of fried chicken. While their first child, Billy, was born here, they survived attempted poisoning by a jealous neighbor and scorn by some in their fellowship when they dared to "fall into the devils trap of wearing wedding bands".

Traveling for Oral Roberts holding and preparing the way for revivals and tent meetings they pulled a little Airstream travel trailer, trusting God for every provision and rejoicing with each gift from above. After their second child, Steve, was born while in Tulsa, they decided to settle into a more stationary ministry and decided to begin a pastoral career.

Beginning in Checotah, OK where the wind blew through the walls and the children (well, one of them) chewed the wallpaper off the walls, they learned the ministry of pastoring their small flocks from literally from the ground up. Then on to Ardmore, OK where their third child, Dan was born, and Illinois where they pastored first in Bradley then Sterling when their last child, Jana, joined the family.

From there it was on to Missouri where Bill worked with his father, G. H. for several years at Defenders of the Faith townhouse, a Christian retirement home, in Kansas City. After his father's death, there were a few years of soul searching as the future was pondered. They managed the Friends of Jesus Missionary Society for Bill's sister, Paula who, with her husband Jim ministered to the deaf in Jamaica. During this time Bill worked as minister of music at what would become Northland Cathedral with Pastor R. W. McClure before sensing the call from God to return to full time pastoring.

Their first church as newly ordained Assemblies of God ministers found them in south Kansas City where they nurtured a new fellowship, Banister Assembly before moving to Moberly, MO. After guiding this flock for 2 1/2 years, they moved on leaving a solid, growing church and a plot in a cemetery where they buried their first born after a car accident.

Moving to the Missouri Ozarks they pastored in West Plains ("the Feeder Pig capital of the world") then on to Cape Girardeau where they worked and traveled for Mid-AmericaTeen Challenge. After a few years they returned to the pastorate in Ottumwa, IA, surviving the schemes of an self absorbed church board before moving on to the Carolinas where they pastored and welcomed a prodigal son home in Shelby. After Millie suffered a heart attack, they moved to Raleigh, NC to be Associates in Faith Assembly and eventually became elders in a new work where their experience and maturity brought them heartache and hurt as the young struggled against the insight of those of longer experience.

After leaving full-time ministry Bill and Mill continued in Raleigh as lay ministers in their church while their last child finished college and was married. As the grandchildren began to come, these long time lovers continued to pour themselves into their family providing guidance, counsel and love. They made it a habit to "make memories" with the grandkids at every opportunity.

Then Bill and Mill returned full circle to Greenville, where it all began. They built their paradise at the end of Ogden Drive and welcomed family and friends to share the love and solitude, the peace and sanctuary of the gardens, tall trees and flowing creek. With one of her elder sisters next door, Millie exercised her green thumb and Bill constructed bridges and fences, terraces and decks, outbuildings and interior decorating. While they didn't have much money, they made up for it in hard work and love. The home they constructed is truly a home built of love. Friends and family come from far and wide to visit and drink in the tranquility of the place, to wrap themselves in the warm blanket of love and acceptance, and nourish themselves on the sage wisdom of the occupants.

While they continue to work to make ends meet, it doesn't take long to realize their work is also ministry to others. Every circumstance is viewed as an opportunity of share with others the wisdom that comes with struggle, the assurance that comes with tested faith, with the secure knowledge of trusting in God and knowing His faithfulness to His servants.

Even today, 53 years after the adventure began, near where they started ministering to those God sent them to, Bill and Millie continue to share God's love while they love each other.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!